State says early voting effort was a success

ATLANTA - The final tally isn't in, but it seems Georgia's early voting period was successful for Tuesday's presidential primary.

Last week was the first time every Georgia county offered early voting without making residents apply for absentee ballots.

Chris Riggall, spokesman for Secretary of State Cathy Cox, said data from 63 of 159 counties showed 10,233 residents voted early. He didn't have the number of registered voters in those counties.

''We've not heard from one county that wasn't pleased with the sort of inaugural voyage of advanced voting,'' Riggall said.

Riggall said participation should pick up as awareness increases. Cox's office is also considering ways to make it more convenient, perhaps by extending the voting period or by keeping polling places open evenings and Saturdays.

Gilmer County Registrar James Fredrickson said last week's turnout was spotty, but he expects future elections to keep him busy.

''July will be a different story. In July, I probably won't have time to talk,'' he said.